13 October 2013

#MyLittleSkincareproject - Normal Skin # 2

It's time to concentrate on normal skin again - the skin type many of us wish we were blessed with, but as we learned from my three normal skin bloggers in the post #MyLittleSkincareProject - Normal Skin # 1; normal skin isn't always as easy as we like to think and it can take just as much pampering and maintenance as any other skin type. Today my normal skin bloggers are going to be talking you through their top product recommendations for normal skin!

"I realise that at least two of these are likely to feature on most bloggers’ favourite products lists but I maintain that that’s for a good reason! These are the five products that my normal-type skin particularly appreciates.

Origins Drink Up Intensive (Origins, 50ml, £11, 100ml, £22) - Origins Drink Up masks have been featured four times already on Sophia’s #MyLittleSkincareProject favourite products lists, and in all but one skin type category – talk about a wonder product! What is there to say that hasn't already been said?This overnight mask smells amazing and most importantly makes my skin feel utterly nourished come morning.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir (Boots, 100ml, £32) – Another cult product but one that lives up to its reputation (and price tag, in my opinion). This is probably my most used product as I carry one in my handbag as well as having one on my bedside table and dressing table (I buy the smaller versions). I give my face a spritz of this in the morning and before bed, as well as throughout the day if I feel in need of a bit of refreshment!

La Roche-Posay Hydreane BB Cream (Boots, 40ml, £15) – I bought this on a bit of a whim whilst in a pharmacy in France a few months ago but it’s quickly become part of my daily skincare/make-up routine. It’s so moisturising and the perfect consistency; not oily nor greasy but just smooth and lightweight. I use this and then a concealer and pressed powder, and it gives the right amount of coverage for me. My skin tone has definitely improved since using this rather than a heavier foundation.

Decleor Aroma Cleanse Cleansing Milk (Decleor, 200ml, £20) – I recently heard some speculation about how good ‘Micellar Waters’ are for your skin so I decided to go back to an old favourite, and I've really fallen for this Cleansing Milk again – it’s so soothing and moisturising and great at removing make-up without drying out my skin.

L’Occitane Essential Face Water (L'Occitane, 200ml, £17) – I use this after cleansing – I find it really moisturising and it leaves my skin feeling plumped and refreshed. Similar to the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, I also sometimes just spritz it on my face as it feels so calming and smells amazing. Again I usually buy the smaller size as it helps to spread the cost and I find it lasts for ages."

"I have a huge skincare collection full of a lot of products which I've only ever used once, let alone given them a chance to see if they actually work, but these are the little gems I've come across which have been deemed the pick of the bunch. I use the majority of these products on a daily basis – two in the morning, and three in the evening.

Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser (Boots, 125ml, £3.79) -The first thing I turn to in the morning is theSimple Hydrating Light Moisturiser.When I’m choosing a moisturiser I don’t want anything that’s going to be too heavy on my face throughout the day, and Simple is the only thing I've come across that genuinely keeps my skin feeling hydrated and moisturised, without leaving a film on my face – plus it’s easy on the bank balance.

Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur Primer (Boots, 30ml, £12.99) - Although it’s not technically skincare, I also use the Garnier 5 Sec Perfect Blurevery morning as a primer – as I have ‘normal’ skin, this helps blur and even out any kind of imperfection which crops up on my skin and gives me a smoother canvas to work with in the morning!

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Cream (Jurlique, 15ml, £34) and Jurlique Herbal Recovery Night Cream (Jurlique, 50ml, £35) - In the evening (after my usual make up removing and cleansing routine), I head straight for the Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Cream and Night Cream. I said in one of my previous posts that one of my main skin concerns is the signs of premature ageing, particularly around my eyes, and this Jurlique range in particular is made with protecting the skin from these first signs of ageing. Personally, I think my skin has already started to show those signs, so it’s a little too late for me to start trying to prevent it (I always ignored it due to my ‘normal’ skin), but I use these two creams daily in a mission to stop fine lines going full steam ahead and taking over my face. I stick to using these over something that claims to ‘rewind’ and cover up the ageing process as it can be bad to pile on creams which can sometimes prevent your skin from producing it’s natural oils and toxins – I’m much happier battling to keep this signs away, rather than rewinding them!

Elemis Freshskin Skin Clear Treatment Gel (Feel Unique, 15ml, £12) - Aside from signs of ageing, my other skin trouble is the odd pesky spot – when I get a spot, I get one good and proper and there’s usually still a trace of it a few weeks later. This gel really helps reduce swelling and redness in spots and really stops them in their tracks before they become a huge problem, and any visible traces have usually gone within three days!

Radical Instant Revitalising Mask (Radical, 30ml, £40) - The final product I swear by is the Radical Instant Revitalising Mask which is perfect for when my skin feels like it just needs a quick boost - plus this is super fun as it feels like popping candy once it’s on your face. There’s no worrying how long to leave it on as it gradually pops off your skin until it’s all disappeared and you’re left with fresher looking skin!"

"As a skincare hoarder, trying to identify just a few products to recommend is tricky, so I've chosen ones I've gone back to time and time again, as generally speaking - I'm not very loyal to products.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil (Clarins, 30ml, £30) - Firstly, my skincare hero, Clarins facial oil. My favourite is the Lotus Oil, but I'm currently using Blue Orchid. This is marketed for dehydrated skin, and they don't actually do one for 'normal' skin, but regardless, I love them. They're an extra skincare treat I use nightly each day. For years I strayed away from putting oil on my face, but it actually helps regulate oil production and locks in moisture. All the oils in this range smell divine, really spa like. I've found that they soothe skin and seal in moisture, they melt into the skin and absorb very quickly, leaving the skin feeling super silky the following morning. It's a bit pricey, but a bottle lasts a few months. They're made with 100% plant extracts and no preservatives. They also claim to help reduce fine lines, always a winner! It's important with normal skin not to take it for granted, and these oils ensure my skin is kept hydrated and moisturised.

St. Agnes Nourishing Cleansing Cream (St. Agnes, 200ml, £24) - Secondly, a cleanser I've been besotted with since first use. It's the Eve of St. Agnes Nourishing Cleansing Cream; Eve of St. Agnes is a British brand and promotes natural, organic skincare products. This cream cleanser has sweet orange, cocoa butter and honey in it, and smells absolutely incredible. It's a real sweet scent of honey mixed with orange, yet not overpowering. I use this as a second cleanser after removing my makeup with a cleansing balm. It's compared to the famed Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanse & Polish, but for me this edges into the lead as my skin feels so clean, soft and supple after using, and I prefer the intoxicating scent.

Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-ageing Moisture Cream SPF30 (Feel Unique, 50ml, £110) - Finally, my last recommendation is a moisturiser. Now, it's ludicrously expensive, but the Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-ageing Moisture Cream SPF30, is a skincare marvel. It claims to protect and correct the look of skin, helping shield it from environmental assaults and intercepting future aging signs to dramatically improve the look of sun-damaged skin. It addresses all skincare concerns, from fine lines to reducing redness and scarring. It's formulated with idebenone, which is a synthetic coenzyme Q10 - a powerful anti-ageing element. For me, anti-ageing and SF are both high on my skincare agenda, so this meets all my criteria when looking for a moisturiser. Since using, I've found pigmentation on my skin has reduced, too. It's very lightweight and absorbs quickly, giving my skin a sort of glow. The cost is a little hard to swallow, but when I find something that works, I'm having to invest in it. After all, my skin is going to be with me for a long time to come!"

Thank you Rosie, Sophie and Vanessa for sharing your favourite products for maintaining normal skin. There's a few products and brands in here I'm intrigued to try myself, as well as some of my most favourite skincare brands!

Next week we begin segment three of the project - Each skin type group has been trialing some products for review, and we'll be sharing our thoughts on products marketed for our skin types, to see if they really meet their claims! Don't forget you can catch up with all of the project posts so far, all of which are linked below!

10 comments

I have loved reading all the blog entries about different skin types Sophia, and have learned so much (so much so that I have been able to send links to the different skin types to friends). One of my friends did ask something - what about dehydrated skin? I have only recently found out just how dehydrated my skin is due to combination drug therapy and can only advise her as to what works best for me. IF, and only if you have time, is there any chance you could include a little information about that please?

I have learned so much, as have my friends from all the hard work you and your friends have put into your skincare project, so thank you from at least 7 of us!

Dehydrated skin unfortunately isn't a specific skin type (I covered this lightly in the first dry skin post) but I will be doing a post at the end of the project, on dehydrated skin. As my skin is oily and dehydrated! It's oily BECAUSE it's dehydrated, so I'll definitely do a post on dehydrated skin once the project has finished :) So glad you and your friends are finding the project helpful :) xo

I've been using the Clarins Blue Orchid Oil since last winter and it really is a life saver. I use it consistently and I'm only on my second bottle - so even though it's pricey it does last for ages. Such a lovely product!

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